Statement from Senator Jim Tracy regarding the announcement that Imperial Food Services will locate a manufacturing plant in Lewisburg

(NASHVILLE, TN), December 13, 2012 — “This is great news for Lewisburg,” said Senator Jim Tracy who is Chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee. “We welcome these new jobs and investment in our community. We will continue to work to ensure that Tennessee’s infrastructure is inviting to businesses to bring new and better opportunities for our citizens.”

IMPERIAL FOOD SERVICES TO ESTABLISH OPERATIONS IN LEWISBURG
New Manufacturing Facility to Create 48 New Jobs

NASHVILLE –Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bill Hagerty joined with company officials today to announce Imperial Food Services (IFS) will locate a manufacturing plant in Marshall County. This announcement represents an investment of $3 million by the company, and the Lewisburg project, located at the I-65 Commerce Park, will create 48 jobs.

“I am pleased to welcome Imperial Food Services to Lewisburg and thank the company for its confidence in the workforce and business climate of Tennessee,” Hagerty said. “Our state’s convenient location, strong transportation infrastructure and solid history of manufacturing excellence will serve Imperial well. I look forward to working with the company as it expands its operations.”

The company broke ground on the new manufacturing facility Monday, Nov. 26 during a ceremony with state, regional and local officials. IFS will construct a new 60,000 square foot at I-65 Commerce Park. The decision to locate in Lewisburg was made as the company looks for new ways to reach into more commercial markets.

“We are very excited about the opportunities on the horizon, and look forward to success working in Middle Tennessee,” Wayne A. Wolf, CEO of Imperial Food Services, said. “IFS and its partners have worked to ensure that Lewisburg is the proper fit for our operations both immediately and into the future. For us, it is clear that Tennessee is going to be a value add for our organization.”

“We have been working aggressively with state economic development officials to market our assets as a great location for manufacturing,” said Lewisburg Director of Economic Development Greg Lowe. “We could not be happier to work with our new partners at Imperial Food to bring jobs and capital investment to Lewisburg and the state of Tennessee.”

IFS, an American Indian food manufacturer and retailer, is headquartered in South Elgin, Ill., along with its sister company, Red Cloud Food Services. IFS produces and distributes cooked meats, sliced deli meats, gourmet sandwiches and healthy hand-held baked products, in addition to an assortment of energy drinks.

Construction on the new facility is scheduled for the winter and the facility anticipates opening in summer 2013. IFS intends to fill 48 production, maintenance, warehouse, export and office positions by that time, with the remainder to follow. IFS will begin accepting applications on July 1st, 2013.

About the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development
The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development’s mission is to develop strategies which help make Tennessee the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs. The department seeks to attract new corporate investment in Tennessee and works with Tennessee companies to facilitate expansion and economic growth. To find out more, go to www.tn.gov/ecd. Follow us on Twitter: @tnecd. Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/tnecd.